Mendoza pushes for Medicaid transparency with new bill

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is continuing her crusade for more transparency in state spending, this time by tracking the spending of managed care organizations. https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/mendoza-pushes-for-medicaid-transparency-with-new-bill/article_5caf2566-2a35-11e9-930c-63f33645105e.html

The information posted would include the total number of claims received by the MCO for that quarter, the number and amounts paid to providers, date of payment and receipt of payment as well as the date the service was rendered, according to a news release from Mendoza’s office.

“As the state’s chief fiscal officer, I cannot see what happens to billions of taxpayer dollars after my office releases them to the MCOs,” Mendoza said. “Providers, like nursing homes in rural and low-income communities, rely on reimbursements from MCOs to keep their doors open and serve vulnerable populations. They deserve transparency when it comes to how and when these payments are made – and so do taxpayers.”

Providers have complained about lack of information as to when they’ll be paid by MCOs, often experiencing delays.

“South Shore Hospital has been devastated by delayed and denied payments from the MCOs, and it threatens our ability to keep the doors open,” South Shore Hospital Chief Executive Officer Tim Caveney said.

The measure was filed Wednesday in the House and Senate.

“The Medicaid program represents a massive area of state spending. This basic level of transparency is needed to protect taxpayer dollars and to ensure MCOs are paying what is owed to providers who serve Medicaid patients,” McSweeney said.